Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between soft-tissue balance at the time of operation and postoperative range of motion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The study involved 8 knees of 8 men, 37 knees of 35 women (mean age 73.3 years), who received primaly TKAin our hospital between May 2003 and July 2005. The follow up period was more than one year for each case. After osteotomy was performed, the gaps between femur and tibia, and valgus-varus laxity at 0° and 90° flex position were measured using the Stryker Knee Balancer device. The measured values were compared with follow-up postoperative range of motion results. No significant relation among the gaps between femur and tibia and postoperative range of motion were observed. We observed a significant decrease in range of motion only in the case of valgus laxity group at 90° flexion. The soft tissue balance of TKA did not effect postoperative range of motion except for valgus laxity of flexion.
